Former Australian Prime Minister Awarded TAU’s Highest Honor

From left: TAU governors and honorary doctors Sam Moss and Joseph Brender, TAU Vice President Amos Elad, former Australian PM John Howard, and David Dinte.

In recognition of his longstanding advocacy of Israel and deep friendship with the Australian Jewish community, former Prime Minister of Australia John W. Howard OM AC was awarded Tel Aviv University’s highest award, the George S. Wise Medal, named after TAU’s first president. The award ceremony, hosted by prominent Jewish Australian community leaders and TAU governors Dr. h. c. Joseph Brender and his wife, Gerda Brender, and Dr. h.c. Sam Moss and Agi Moss, benefited a new scholarship fund for university students from New South Wales who wish to study at TAU.

In a message from Israel, TAU President Joseph Klafter praised Mr. Howard for his “significant political, economic and social achievements as Australian Prime Minister, unwavering advocacy of the State of Israel spanning decades, and abiding friendship with the Australian Jewish Community.” These sentiments were echoed by TAU Vice President for Resource Development, Amos Elad, who travelled to Australia for the award ceremony.

David Dinte, President of Australian Friends of TAU (NSW) and organizer of the event, noted that Mr. Howard now joins the ranks of other distinguished George S. Wise Medal recipients, including former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban, Israel’s first man in space, Ilan Ramon, former governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Stanley Fischer, and former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

The Australian Friends of TAU Scholarship Fund is the first of its kind among TAU’s Friends Associations, and is intended to provide an exceptional study experience for Australian students at the same time as creating a cadre of ambassadors for both Tel Aviv University and the State of Israel.